Cafe Carlotta to Open on Capitol Square in January

New coffee shop serving Turkish specialties will debut at 2 S. Carroll St. early next year.

Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Coffee

Screen-print poster illustration featuring a copper coffee pot and small tea cup, evoking the traditional Turkish specialty service of a new Madison cafe. — Cafe Carlotta, led by owner Ibrahim Erk, will bring traditional Turkish coffee and tea service to downtown Madison's Capitol Square in January 2027. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Owner Ibrahim Erk is set to open Cafe Carlotta in Madison this January 2027. The new establishment will occupy a historic downtown building located on Capitol Square.

Why it matters

The cafe aims to introduce authentic Turkish coffee and tea culture to the heart of downtown Madison. It arrives as part of a wave of new development projects scheduled for the area in early 2027.

Located at 2 S. Carroll St., the cafe sits in a building originally constructed in 1940 and later renovated in 2013. The business intends to complete construction work this December.

The players

Ibrahim Erk

He is the owner of the forthcoming Cafe Carlotta on Capitol Square.

The details

Cafe Carlotta will specialize in traditional Turkish coffee and tea, alongside a selection of breakfast items and baked goods. The project is led by owner Ibrahim Erk and his partners.

1940: The building housing the future cafe was constructed.
2013: The building underwent a significant renovation.
December 2026: Construction is scheduled to conclude.
January 2027: Cafe Carlotta is expected to open.
February 2027: The nearby Historian Hotel is set to open.

Culture Shift

The opening of Cafe Carlotta follows the broader trend of commercial revitalization and infrastructure development currently transforming the Capitol Square area. This shift mirrors an increasing focus on restoring historic downtown structures to house modern lifestyle businesses.

Residents and downtown workers will soon have a new venue for Turkish coffee and breakfast items on Capitol Square. The business is expected to be fully operational by the start of 2027.

The takeaway

The addition of specialized international cafes reflects the changing commercial landscape of downtown Madison. Local patrons can look forward to new dining options in the Capitol Square area as several planned developments reach completion in early 2027.